Five quick takes: Where was Battier against Manu?

Memphis re-acquired prodigal son/defensive wizard Shane Battier to provide a lockdown stopper during critical times as the Grizzlies attempt to earn their first playoff slot since 2006.

Battier provided a lift in his second game with his new team, appearing in more than 30 minutes in the Spurs’ 95-88 victory, including all 12 minutes in the second half.

But it’s still puzzling why Battier wasn’t more of a force against Manu Ginobili, who was matched with Mike Conley for much of the fourth quarter.

Ginobili took advantage of his size advantage by tallying 18 of his game-high 35 points in his biggest scoring binge of the season. And it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for the Spurs with Tony Parker out with an injury.

When the teams meet on Tuesday night in Memphis in the rematch, it will be interesting to see if Memphis coach Lionel Hollins adjusts to account for Battier’s defensive skills in trying to stop San Antonio’s biggest offensive weapon.

Here are four other thoughts after watching the Spurs claim their team-record 21st consecutive victory in a game that was much, much more difficult than the final score indicated.

1. I like the Memphis team, which came into Sunday’s game as one of the hottest in the league with 14 victories in their last 18 games. The addition of Battier makes them tougher defensively and Rudy Gay’s eventual return will give them a scorer from the wing that should enable Conley to concern himself with running the offense. The Grizzlies have a difficult finishing schedule, but they appear more talented than Utah, Denver, Phoenix or Houston. They might even rise as high as seventh in the NBA West if they can get everybody on the same page between now and the end of the season.

2. When San Antonio’s offense was struggling without Parker and badly needing a lift, Gregg Popovich’s team went to the perimeter to spark the comeback. Matt Bonner hit a pair of deep threes late in the third quarter after Memphis had claimed a seven-point lead. And Richard Jefferson hit a three and Bonner added two more in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter to give the Spurs a lead. It’s obvious that outside shooting remains this team’s most reliable offensive weapon. And Sunday’s comeback was one of the few times they have really needed to lean on it this season.

3. The NBA appears to be serious about making games move faster. Hollins got slapped with a technical to start a second half when he didn’t bring his team out of its huddle fast enough. It’s a good rule. I just wish the referees had the power to issue some technicals on directors of national television broadcasts for the same infractions.

4. Memphis power forward Zach Randolph deserved to be in the All-Star game this season because of his dominant play inside. But the Grizzlies can sometimes sputter offensively when the ball is kicked inside. Randolph had 24 points and 17 rebounds against the Spurs but also had the ignomy of having seven of his shots blocked in Sunday’s game. Marc Gasol doesn’t give him much help. But still, Z-Bo might want to kick the ball outside occasionally rather than making a bull run for the rim and tasting leather over and over.